The pregnancy news came shortly after the couple reportedly attended a German family planning clinic, writes the Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda (KP).

The pregnancy was also announced only two days after Sultan Muhammad, 49, unexpectedly abdicated after two years on the throne, a first in country’s history. The National Palace has not yet given any reason for his resignation, adding it will take effect immediately.

Prior to her wedding to now-abdicated husband, whose full name is Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra ibni Sultan Ismail Petra, Voevodina converted to Islam, changing her name to Rihana Oxana Gorbatenko.

The couple’s wedding was held in a concert hall in Moscow and was alcohol-free, with halal food. The king was dressed in traditional Malaysian clothes, while the bride wore a stunning white dress.

The couple reportedly met 18 months ago when Voevodina was promoting luxury watches in Europe. She then left her modeling career to marry the now-abdicated king of Malaysia.

According to the Russian newspaper, the king’s marriage to the former Miss Russia has triggered many questions, claiming it could be the reason he decided to abdicate after two years on the throne.

As for the pregnancy, the newspaper reported:

The couple is expecting their first baby and has fully devoted themselves to the future offspring.

It was announced by Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal, that the Council of Rulers has set a date to elect a new king, January 24, to be more precise. The statement also said the king will be sworn in on January 31.

Pictured above is Sultan Muhammad V saluting during the national anthem at the Parliament house in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Andrey Gorbatenko, an Orthopedic surgeon, as well as Oksana’s father, also spoke for the Russian paper saying ‘all goes on as it should,’ choosing not to make any comments about the pregnancy nor the abdication.

But he went on, saying:

They have their own lives, I live mine. But I can tell you one thing, as a doctor. When I met him for the first time, I relaxed somewhere deep inside. I immediately felt that Oksana would be doing well with him – maybe, my father’s heart told me.

Speaking of her daughter’s conversion to Islam, Gorbatenko revealed he looked closer at the religion, remarking it is a ‘fabulous religion,’ and that her daughter has done the right thing, as ‘the wife must always follow her husband.’

Oksana Voevodina was crowned Miss Moscow in 2015, and has previously worked as a model in Thailand and China.

As for her husband, before abdicating, he had been on the throne since 2016, after succeeding his father. He finished his studies in the UK, at Oakham School in Rutland, then at St. Cross College, Oxford University, later attending the European Business School in London.